Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor on Friday (August 9) said that players from his country have benefited enormously by rubbing shoulders with the best in the business while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Taylor, who has represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors and Rajasthan Royals in the lucrative league, feels IPL has helped New Zealand cricket to bridge the gap between players.
"I have been fortunate to play for a few teams (in the IPL) and play with great players. I think, there has been an aura around Australia, South Africa and a few of these teams. I think IPL helped New Zealand cricket sort of bridge that gap a little bit (between players)," Taylor quoted as saying by PTI.
"Once you know these players....You are picking their brains and you are watching them train and that has helped New Zealand cricket immensely. Players who have played over there and (who will play in) years to come will benefit by rubbing shoulders with best players in the world," he elaborated.
New Zealand are set to begin their World Test Championship campaign against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 14.
Describing Sri Lanka as a tough place to play, Taylor, a veteran of 92 Tests, said: "They (Sri Lanka) know the conditions very well and play very well in these conditions. And upsetting South Africa at home would give them a lot of confidence. They are also looking to play the (ICC) Test Championship. Sri Lanka is genuinely a tough place to play cricket in."
The World Test Championship has been introduced by the ICC to give greater context to the traditional format of the game and will be played over the next two years. It will feature 9 of the 12 Test-playing nations, each of whom will play a Test series against six of the other eight teams. The top two sides will then contest in the final at Lord’s in June 2021.
Commenting on the same, Taylor said: “Obviously there are names and number on the back (of the jerseys, like in ODIs). (There is) context (and) there is something on every game. And someone else mentioned to me the other day is you probably take note of other Test series a lot more now than you would have (than) just following the big series (like) Ashes.”
